Durham Cricket Club and Newcastle Falcons among companies 'named and shamed' for failing to pay minimum wage

Almost 240 employers who failed to pay the national minimum wage have been "named and shamed" by the Government, with some cases stretching back seven years.

Care homes, car washes, pubs, hairdressers, football and cricket clubs were among those said to have underpaid workers.

Around £1.4million has been recovered in back pay for 22,400 workers, with employers fined almost £2million.

Cases included employers taking deductions from wages for uniforms, underpaying apprentices and failing to pay for travel time.

Those named include Durham and Sussex Cricket Clubs and Newcastle Falcons rugby club, Bristol City and Doncaster Rovers football clubs, and Odeon and UCI Cinema Group in Manchester.

Business Minister Andrew Griffiths said: "Our priority is making sure workers know their rights and are getting the pay they worked hard for.

"Employers who don't do the right thing face fines as well as being hit with the bill for backpay.

"The UK's lowest paid workers have had the fastest wage growth in 20 years thanks to the introduction of the National Living Wage and today's list serves as a reminder to all employers to check they are getting their workers' pay right."